State govt must allocate separate funds for lake desilting: MP Bommai

Haveri: MP Basavaraj Bommai said that if the state govt truly intends to protect farmers, it must preserve lakes. Proper maintenance of lakes can prevent floods.Speaking to the media in Haveri, Bommai recalled that when BS Yediyurappa was chief minister, Rs 200 crore was allocated for lake desilting, and urged the current govt to similarly earmark separate funds for the purpose.MP Bommai said Shiggaon and Savanur taluks are rich in lakes, with around 500 in total, including at least 100 large ones. Efforts must be made to fill water in over 150 big and small lakes. During the drought years of 2015, 2016, and 2017, large-scale desilting work was carried out. In the past two to three years, good rainfall meant desilting work was not necessary. However, as lakes have dried up this summer, desilting activities have resumed. The decision to desilt at least one lake in every ZP is noteworthy, he added.Responding to a question on what the central and state govts should do for lake desilting, Bommai said that Haveri district has already been included under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, and an action plan has been prepared. Under this scheme, funds will be allocated for lake development in every taluk. Akin to Yediyurappa's tenure, when Rs 200 crore was set aside, the govt must allocate funds again. Protecting lakes means protecting the land, as they are part of the natural ecosystem and act as flood mitigators. "Proper lake management can prevent floods, and if the govt truly cares about farmers, it must safeguard lakes," he asserted.